Centrifugal separator or amalgamator



R. THAYER.

CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR 0R AMALGAMATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1921.

Patented July 18, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I ll |IIlIlllllllllllllllllllPllll 4/11. 'illlllllllllllll llllllllllllulllll lllllglllL IN VEN TOR:

A TTORNEYS.

R.. THAYER.

CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR 0R AMALGAMATOH.

. APPLICATION FLLED MAY 10. l9 21. 'LQQJGQQ Patented July 18, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

5 INVENTOR: fi 8881! Tha s/ 4 ATTORNEYS,

tional view through reference being RUSSELL THAYER, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CEN'IRIFUGAL SEPARA'I'OR 0R AMALGAIVIATOR.

Application filed May 10,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUSSELL THAYER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Separators or Amalgamators, whereof the following is a specification, had to the accompanying drawings. I

My invention relates to apparatus for separating metals from their ores, and more particularly to so-called centrifugal separators of a type wherein the values are recovered by amalgamation.

Amongst the objects of my invention are:

the attainment of more thorough and efiicient extraction of metals from their ores than has been possible heretofore with existing machines or apparatus designed for this purpose; to effect constant automatic withdrawal of any excess accumulating over and above a definite predetermined amount of mercury in the apparatus; and to render it possible to dispose of accumulation of the recovered materials without suspension of the separating or amalgamating process.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows:

In the drawings, Fig. I is an axial secan ore separating or amalgamating apparatus conveniently embodying my invention.

Fig. II is a horizontal plan section of the same viewed in the direction of the arrows IIII in Fig. I; and

Fig. III is a view similar to Fig. II alonlg the plane of the arrows III-III in, Fig.

he organization herein represented comprises a closed, hollow receptacle or shell structure 1, which communicates at Its top with an attached axially disposed inlet conduit 2, and at its bottom, with a similarly disposed outlet conduit 3. Theinlet conduit 2 runs in a stuffing box supported by a bridging spider frame 6 whlch is mounted on the upper ends of a. series of vertical columns 7, 7 rising from an appropriate base 8. The inlet conduit 2, it will be noted, in turn communicates with a supply pipe 9 which is threaded into the central boss of the frame 6, as clearly shown in Fig. I, and which may extend from any suitable source of supply of the value bearing pulp under pressure. The outlet conduit 3 runs in a Specification of Letters Patent.

frame 26 is provided with Patented July 18, 1922. 1921. Serial No. 468,228.

stufling box 10 in the base member 8, and

The receptacle or shell structure 1 resembles in configuration that of a top, and

is preferably made in two sections 15 and,

16, whereof the former or lower section is an inverted, truncated, parabolic conoid, which meets the upper section 16 along the plane of the greatest diameter of the shell structure. The upper section 16 is substantially hemispherical, and flanged at the region of its juncture with the lower section 15 as at 17, and removably secured to the latter section, by, means of screws 18, 18.

The axial inlet conduit 2 has threaded engagement as at 19 with a neck 20 integrally formed with the top section 16 of the shell structure 1, and is held from relative displacement with respect thereto, 'ointly by cooperation of a shoulder 21 an the flare 22 of the conduit 2, whose lower end, in assembling, is turned over against a correspondingly the boss 20. I

At its lower end, the shell section 15 engages the threaded portion 25 of the axial outlet conduit 3. The shell structure is rotatively sustained, in addition to the support afforded the appended conduits 2 and 3 by the stufling boxes 5 and 10,, by cross frames 26 and 27, which are secured to the columns 7, 7, previously referred .to, and which carry ball bearings 28 and 29 respectively. In order to sustain the weight of the rotative parts of the organization, the an additional ball thrust bearing 30. The bearings 28 and 30 are protected by an integral overhanging flange 31 of the lower section 15 of the shell structure. Rotation is imparted to the shell structure by a pulley 32secured to the outlet conduit 3 lntermediate the frames 26 and 27, and adapted to be driven from any suitable source of power, by means of a belt 33. Referring once more to the shell structure 1, it will be noted that the latter is internally subdivided by means of an inn-er or partitioning shell 35 which corresponds in configuration to the outer shell, into'an annular flow chamber 36 and an axial 'or central expansion chamber 37. The inner shell 35, like the exterior shell, is made in two sections numbered 38 and 39, which are secured together by means of screws 40- 110 along the plane of division. The lower section 38 of the inner or partitioning shell has a central boss 41 which is integrally united with the body portion of said shell by radial arms 42, H which, as suggested in Figs. I and II, are pitched at an inclination to serve as elevating paddles for a purpose which will be later explained. The opening of the boss 41 is internally threaded to engage with the upper end of the outlet conduit 3, and the latter is held from relative displacement'through the cooperation of an integral shoulder 43 and the flared end 44 which engages with a correspondingly shaped seat in previously described with reference to the attachment of the inlet conduit 2 to the shell member 16. The lower end of the member 35 of the inner partitioning shell is open at its bottom as clearly shown in Fig. I, so as to establish communication between the annular fiow passage 36 and the axial chamber 37. For the purpose of suring uniform distribution of the material delievered through the conduit 2, the upper surface of the section 39 of the partitioning shell is preferably provided with integral radially extending distributing arms or vane-like ridges 46 which tend to throw off the material tangentially toward the flow channel 36.

In operation, the value bearing pulp (fine sand ground or unground, or ground rock mixed with about 80% of water) is delivered to the apparatus through the pipe 9 under a regulable pressure of about twenty pounds to the square inch so as to maintain a continuous flow of the pulp through the shell structure, while the latter is constantly rotated, under drive of the belt 33, at a speed in the neighborhood of seven hundred revolutions per minute. Pressure materially assists in the successful operation of the machine, and by regulating said pressure, different results of amalgamation and collection of values may be obtained.

It is obvious that the same principles that apply to the rotation of a top about its vertical axis apply to the structure herein set forth; in other words, while in rapid rotation, the entire mass of the body of the shell, together with its contents, aids in maintaining the. balance and even running of the machine, in fact, the entire mass takes up a condition of stable equilibrium which condition is enhanced as speed is increased. As the pulp enters the shell structure, it is uniformly distributed, as already explained, by the vanes 46 at the top of the partitioning shell 35, and incidentally swirled so as to gradually attain the rotative speed of the shell itself. Preparatory to beginning the operation of the apparatus, a definite quantity of mercury is first placed within the a manner similar to that I in- I shell structure, and, owing to the conical configuration of the latter, the mercury spreads itself as an extensive film over the interior surface of the external element of said shell structure. Moreover, since the radius of rotation gradually decreases in a downward direction from the region of the greatest diameter of the shell'structure, the centrifugal force due to rotation also decreases, thus establishing a series of zones of gradually diminishing pressure by virtue of which the mercury is caused to distribute itself as a film of varying thickness, this film being of maximum thickness at the region of highest velocity, and tapering gradually toward the bottom of the shell, as conventionally represented in Fig. I,

and also toward the top of the shell, though not in such a marked degree. In the course of the pasage of the pulp through the apparatus, most of the value content thereof, by reason of its higher specific gravity with respect to the other ingredients ofthe mixture, readily separates from the latter and is extracted at the region of highest velocity, but on account of the large extended surface area provided, any remaining globules are readily trapped by or entrained in the film of mercury as the material continues through the several zonal divisions of varying pressures in its downward movement through the flow channel 36. This characteristic also facilitates extraction of values other than mercury which may be present, for example, gold, platinum, iridium, etc., the fine particles being hurled against the mercury film lining the shell, and thus either trapped or absorbed thereby. of the thinness of the film, more especially in the lower section of the shell, the small metallic particles cannot undermine the film and break off or roll up as amalgam, which might be passed ofi with the refuse or residuum from the apparatus.

For the purpose of draining the accumulation of the recovered material collecting in the bottom of the shell under gravitation, I have made the following provisions:

The bottom of the lower shell section 15 is sloped downwardly from the centre as shown at 50 toward drain valves or cocks 51-51, of which there are preferably two arranged diametrically opposite each other as shown in Fig. I. By this means, the accumulation of mercury or amalgam in the lower portion of the shell may be drained off from time to time and collected in an annular trough 52 supported in any convenient manner by the cross spider frame 26. In order that the valves 51-51 may be opened and closed without stoppage of the machine, I have attached to the stems of said valves, cam levers 53-53, see Figs. I and III, which normally occupy the position shown in the latter figure to maintain the On account a 52, and normally held in valves closed. Said cam levers may be actuated under selective control by means of tappet fingers 54 and 55, which are freely fulcrumed to a common pivot 56 supported by a suitable bracket at the edge of the pan the retracted positions illustrated by means of springs 57. Said fingers 54: and have .outwardly extending handles 58 capable of being readily grasped for actuation. Thus, when it is desired to open the valves 51, the finger 54 1s swung into the path or orbit of the cam arms 53, which are engaged by it and turned to the requisite extent to effect opening of the valves. When the finger 55 is interposed in the path or orbit of movement of the cam levers 53, the valves are shifted in a like manner and returned to the closed position. The accumulation collected in the trough 52 may be withdrawn, when desired, through a stop cook 59.

In order to maintain, at all times, a defi nite amount of mercury distributed as a film such as already described, it is necessary to constantly dispose of excess accumulation, and this is effected preferably at the region of highest velocity by provisions which are about to be described.

At uniform intervals about the top of the lower shell section 15 are formed protuberances 60 which are traversed by siphon ducts 61 communicating with the interior of the shell structure through bends at 62. From Fig. I, it will be noted that the outlet mouths of the ducts 61 are closer to the axis of rotation of the shell structure than the wall of the latter at its difference between these distances determining the maximum thickness of the film at this region as clearly shown conventionally in the illustration. As soon as any mercury or amalgam 'in excess of the predetermined amount accumulates, this excess will be expelled under centrifugal force, from the outlets of the ducts 61, and discharged'into an underlying collection trough 63 provided with a suitable drain cock 64.

After being relieved of its values, the residuum passes about the lower periphery of the section 38 of the partitioning shell 35 and enters the axial expansion chamber 37, and is elevated under assistance of the paddles 42 to the level of the top of the discharge conduit 3. The reversal in the direction of the travel of the material serves to retard the flow through the channel 36 oftheshell structure so much that thorough extraction of the values is assured before the residuum is disposed of. The residuum may be conducted by the pipe 11 to any suitable place of collection, while the recovered material may be drawn off for distillation.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An apparatus of the character delargest diameter, the

scribed, comprising a closed, hollow, rotating shell through which value bearing pulp is passed under pressure, said shell having the form of a conoid affording an extended smooth interior surface over which mercury may spread itself as a thin film of varying thickness under action of centrifugal force due to rotation; and means for supporting said shell for rotation about its axis.

2. An apparatus of the character described. ing shell through which value bearing pulp is continually passed under pressure, said shell being in the form of a top. the portion thereof below the plane of its largest diameter having the configuration of a truncated, parabolic conoid, and the portion above said plane, approximating a hemispherical configuration; and means for su porting said shell for rotation about its axis.

11 apparatus of the character described, comprising a closed, hollow, rotating shell in the form of a truncated conoid; means for supporting said shell for rotation about itsaxis; and means for automatically malntainlng at all times a film of definite thickness of mercury about the interior of the shell under centrifugal force due to rotation.

4 An apparatus of the character descrlbed, comprising a closed, hollow shell in the form of a truncated conoid; means for supporting said shell for rotation about its axis; and discharge ducts leading from the regions of largest diameter of the shell to the exterior, the outlet mouths of said ducts being so disposed with relation to the axis of the shell as to maintain a film of definite thickness of mercury about the inner surface of the shell, and at the same tlme to permit continuous automatic discharge of excess accumulation.

5 An apparatus of the character described, comprising a closed hollow, conoidal shell, rotatable about its axis and having inlet and outlet means at top and bottom, respectively,-for continual passage of value-bearing pulp through the shell under pressure; and discharge duct means rotating with the shell leading from the region of reatest diameter of the shell and exten ing inward therefrom, so as to maintain a mercury film of definite thickness on the interior of the shell while permitting.

continuous automatic discharge of excess accumulation. I

6. An apparatus of the-character described, comprising a closed, hollow, rotating shell through which value bearing pulp is continuously passed under pressure; valves carried by said shell and means adjacent their orbit for engaging said valves to open or close them during rotation of the shell to permit, from time to time, draining of the recovered values accumulating under gravitation at the bottom of said shell without suspension of rotation of the latter.

7. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a closed, hollow, rotating shell through which value bearing pulp is passed under pressure; valves carried by said shell; cam levers mounted on the stems of said valves; and manually controllable tappet fingers whereby the cam-levers of the valves may be selectively engaged at one side or the other during rotation of the shell to open and close the valves and permit drainage of the recovered values accumulating under gravitation in the bottom of said shell, without stoppage of rotation of the latter.

8. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a closed hollow, conoidal shell, rotatable about its axis and having inlet and outlet means at top and bot- H tom, respectively, for continual passage of value-bearing pulp through the shell under pressure; discharge duct means rotating with the shell leading from the region of greatest diameter of the shell and extending inward therefrom, so as to maintain a mercury film of definite thickness on the interior of the Shell while permitting continuous automatic discharge of excess accumulation; valve means for discharging gravitational accumulation from the bottom of the shell; and means for opening or closing said valve means during rotation of the shell.

9. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a closed hollow, conoidal shell, rotatable about its axis and hav ing inlet and outlet means at top and bottom, respectively, for continual passage of value-bearing pulp through the shell under pressure; and an inner open-bottomed partitioning unit in said shell over its outlet,

'having on its upper surface radially extending vanes for distributing the material entering thereabove.

10. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a closed, hollow, rotating shell; an inner, relatively fixed, open bottomed, partitioning shell of like configuration subdividing the interior of the shell structure into an annular flow passage and a central, axial expansion chamber, said chamber communicating with the flow passage through the open bottom of the partitioning shell; an axial inlet for the value bearing pulp communicating with the flow channel at the top of the shell structure; an axial outlet leading from within the central axial expansion chamber at a point above the open bottom of the partitioning shell; and means within said partitioning shell for forcibly elevating the residue to said outlet.

11. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a closed, hollow, rotating shell; an inner, relatively fixed, open bottomed, partitioning shell of like configuration subdividing the interior of the shell structure into an annular flow passage and a central axial expansion chamber, said chamber communicating with the flow passage through the open bottom of the partitioning shell; an axial inlet for the value bearing pulp communicating with the flow channel at the top of the shell structure; an axial outlet leading from within the central axial expansion chamber at a point above the bottom of the inner shell; and inclined radial paddles integrally formed with said inner shell for forcibly elevating the residue to said outlet.

12. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a closed hollow, conoidal shell, rotatable about its axis and having inlet and outlet means at top and bottom, respectively, for continual passage of value bearing pulp through the shell under pressure; an inner open-bottomed partitioning unit in said shell over its outlet, having on its upper surface radially extending vanes for distributing the material entering thereabove; and discharge duct means rotating with the shell leading from the region of greatest diameter of the shell and extending inward therefrom, so as to maintain a mercury film of definite thickness on the interior of the shell while permitting continuous automatic discharge of excess accumulation.

13. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a closed hollow, conoidal shell, rotatable about its axis and having inlet and outlet means at top and bottom, respectively, for continual passage of value bearing pulp through the shell under pressure; an inner open-bottomed partitioning unit in said shell over its outlet, having on its upper surface radially extending vanes for distributing the material entering thereabove; discharge duct means rotating with the shell leading from the region of greatest diameter of the shell and extending inward therefrom, so as to maintain a mercury film of definite thickness on the interior of the shell while permitting continuous automatic discharge of excess accumulation; valve means for discharging gravitational accumulation from the bottom of the shell; and means for opening or closing said valve means during rotation of the shell.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name at Philadelphia, vania, this 29th day of April, 1921.

RUSSELL THAYER.

hereunto Pennsyl- Witnesses:

JAMES H. BELL, E. L. FULLERTON. 

